About Laurie McRae

I am an oil painter and fibre artist. I love the challenge of painting a variety of subjects (landscapes, animal & people portraits, still life, etc.); whatever inspires me at the moment. My fibre work crosses the boundaries of fine art, textile design and craft. I “paint with wool and other textiles” creating highly textured animal portraits, bold and colourful landscapes, florals and abstracts. My fibre paintings include hooked and needle felted pieces- many incorporating both techniques.

Each hooked painting is a creative journey of letting the textiles colour and texture dictate the final visual effects in my designs. Like my early forbearers who hooked rugs, I incorporate many recycled clothing and materials into my pieces, deconstructing and cutting them into strips either by hand or using a cloth strip cutter. Materials include everything from velvet ribbons, metallic threads, jerseys, silks, nylons, wool yarn, wool rovings and wool cloth strips. I work on fine linen backing employing different rug hooking styles; realistic and traditional, raised or sculpted (high pile that is cut) and directionally hooked in straight lines).

I am originally from Toronto and have lived in Prince Edward County since 2002. I have studied under several different artists and teachers. I painted at the Unionville Art Gallery and the renowned Fred Varley Art Gallery also located in Unionville, Ontario.

Galleries

Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Gallery, Collingwood, Ontario (2017-2018)
The Local Store, Bloomfield, Ontario (2016, 2017, 2021)

Memberships

Prince Edward County Arts Council
Quinte Arts Council
Ontario Hooking Craft Guild

Exhibitions

2021 Art in the County, Prince Edward County
2021 Studio Tour, Prince Edward County
2021 Expressions Art Show, Parrot Gallery, Belleville
2020 Art in the County, Prince Edward County
2019 Quinte Arts Council, “Self Portrait” Show
2019 “Tiny Art Show” Guildworks, Prince Edward County
2019 Studio Tour, Prince Edward County
2018 Art in the County, Prince Edward County
2017 Rednersville Road Art Tour
2017 Art in the County, Prince Edward County
2017-2018 Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts Galllery, Collingwood, Ontario
2016 Rednersville Road Art Tour
2016 John M. Parrott Art Gallery, Belleville, Ontario
2016 The Grange Winery, Prince Edward County, Ontario
2014 Art in the County, Prince Edward County, Ontario